A Very Short Introduction to Aesthetics

I. Defining Art

     A. Why this is Important

     B. Why this is Difficult

     C. Brief History of the Debate

          1. Plato

          2. Kant

          3. Hegel

          4. Schopenhauer

          5. Nietzsche

          6. Wittgenstein: Family Resemblances

II. Multitude of Arts

     A. Painting

     B. Literature

     C. Architecture

     D. Music

     E. Film

III. Art as Representation

     A. Are works of Art Physical Objects?

     B. How can a physical thing represent?

IV. Art as Expression

     A. Are Works of Art Like Persons?

     B. How can a physical thing be expressive?

V. Politics and the Definition of Art

     A. Problems posed by Abstract Painting

     B. Mass Art

VI. Recent Visual Art: Challenges to the Definition of Art

     A. Conceptual Art

     B. Performance Art